Steve Gleason Biography, Stats, Career, Net Worth

Steve Gleason is a former NFL player who was born on March 19, 1977, in Spokane, Washington, U.S. He was a safety who played for both the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. Gleason also played for the Birmingham Thunderbolts.

He was undrafted in 2000, but went on to play professionally for six years. In 2015, he was awarded the George Halas Award. Gleason played in 83 NFL games, where he recorded 59 solo tackles and 6 assisted tackles.

He stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 212 pounds.

Personal Information of Steve Gleason

Early years

Steve Gleason was from Spokane, Washington, where he grew up. He attended Gonzaga Prep for high school, where he was known for his skills as a linebacker in the Greater Spokane League. Gleason was a defensive MVP in his high school teams, and he was proud of his contribution to the team.

His skills were not limited to defense as he was also a fullback in offense. His love for football began to develop during his high school years. Gleason was committed to improving his skills and worked hard during the practices.

He learned the importance of discipline and practice during this time. His success on the football field during high school would help him earn a scholarship to play at Washington State University.

Gleason’s early years were filled with passion for his sport, and his dedication during his high school years helped him to excel as a football player.

College

Steve Gleason attended Washington State University in Pullman after graduating high school in 1995. He was awarded a scholarship to play football for the university. In 1997, he played as a starting linebacker for the college football team that played in the prestigious Rose Bowl.

Along with football, Gleason was also an exceptional baseball player. He was a four-year starter for the Washington State University baseball team, where he played in center field. Gleason even holds the school record for triples.

He must have been a valued player for the team. It is obvious he devoted a considerable amount of time and effort towards both football and baseball during his time at university. Gleason’s scholarships, receiving a football scholarship and earning the opportunity to play college baseball, demonstrate that he was a talented athlete.

Being a four-year starter suggests that he was consistent throughout his college career. All in all, Gleason had an athletic collegiate career at Washington State University in Pullman.

Professional career

Steve Gleason began his professional career in the year 2000 as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts. However, he could not make it to the final roster of the team and was released after the preseason.

Later, in November of the same year, he was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints.In the year 2001, he was picked up by Birmingham Thunderbolts in the XFL Draft at 191st pick.

Despite struggling initially, he eventually established himself as a reliable special teams player with the team.He spent four seasons with the New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2006, where he played as a safety and was mostly utilized on special teams.

He became a fan favorite for his dedication and hard work on and off the field. He is best remembered for his iconic punt block in a game against Atlanta Falcons in 2006, which was later immortalized as a statue outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

After his playing career, Gleason became a motivational speaker and advocate for ALS research.

He was diagnosed with ALS himself in 2011, which has since become his life’s mission to raise awareness and funds for the disease. Overall, Steve Gleason’s professional football career spanned over six years, during which he made noteworthy contributions to the game and left an indelible mark on the hearts of football fans worldwide.

Net Worth

Steve Gleason is a former professional American football player who played as a safety for the New Orleans Saints. He is best known for his blocked punt in 2006 that became a symbol of hope for the city after Hurricane Katrina.

He retired from the NFL in 2008 after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

He has since become an advocate for people living with ALS and founded Team Gleason, a non-profit organization that provides technology, equipment, and support to enhance the quality of life of those affected by ALS. According to various sources, Steve Gleason has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of April 2023.

He has earned most of his wealth from his football career and his documentary film Gleason, which chronicles his life with ALS and his relationship with his wife and children.

Personal life

Steve Gleason, a former football player, has a fulfilling personal life. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Michel Rae Varisco. The couple has two children named Rivers and Gray. Steve is a proud father who loves his children dearly.

His daughter and son bring him immense joy and happiness. Steve was overjoyed when he found out that his wife was pregnant, six weeks after he received a diagnosis of ALS. The diagnosis did not discourage him from entering a new chapter in his life as a father.

He continues to be a loving and committed parent despite the challenges he faces. Steve’s family is his support system, and he cherishes their love and care. He finds comfort in spending time with his family and creating memories with them.

Steve’s children inspire him to remain positive and hopeful. His family provides him with the strength to face his illness with courage and determination. Steve is grateful for his family, and they are his greatest source of love and encouragement.

Is Steve Gleason still alive with ALS?

• Steve Gleason, a former NFL player, has been living with ALS.
• He was diagnosed with the disease in 2011.
• Despite his illness, Gleason has become an advocate for others with ALS.
• He retired from the NFL in 2008 before his diagnosis.
• ALS is a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
• There is no cure for ALS, but treatments are available to alleviate symptoms.
• Gleason’s advocacy work includes the creation of the Team Gleason Foundation.
• The foundation raises funds to support ALS research and provide services to those with the disease.
• Steve Gleason is still alive and continues to be a strong voice for people with ALS.
• His resilience and perseverance in the face of this debilitating disease are an inspiration to many.

When did Steve Gleason get diagnosed with ALS?

Steve Gleason, a former American football player, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2011. The news was shocking, as he was only 34 years old at the time.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Steve retired from football in 2008 after playing for the New Orleans Saints for seven years.

After his diagnosis, Steve became a prominent advocate for ALS awareness and research through his foundation, Team Gleason. Today, Steve’s efforts continue to raise awareness and funding for a cure for ALS.

How old is Steve Gleason now?

Steve Gleason, a former NFL player, was born on March 19, 1977. He is currently 44 years old. Steve Gleason was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2011 at the age of 34. Since then, he has become an advocate for those with the disease.

Gleason has also launched The Gleason Initiative Foundation, also known as Team Gleason, to help improve the lives of people living with ALS.

Gleason’s life has been documented in the film “Gleason,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. Despite his diagnosis, Steve Gleason continues to inspire and make a difference in the community.

When did Steve Gleason stop talking?

Steve Gleason stopped talking in 2018. This was due to his diagnosis with the terminal illness, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2011. The disease had progressed to the extent where it has rendered him immobile and unable to speak.

Gleason is a former NFL player who gained attention for blocking a punt in a game after Hurricane Katrina. Following his diagnosis, he became a prominent advocate for ALS research and founded Team Gleason, a non-profit organization that helps people with the same condition enjoy meaningful and innovative lives.

Despite his physical limitations, he is still active in raising awareness for ALS and continues to inspire millions of people around the world.

Is ALS still incurable?

ALS is a debilitating neurological disease that affects the motor neurons in the body. Unfortunately, this disease has no known cure, and there are no treatments that effectively reverse its progression.

Motor neurons play a vital role in sending messages to the muscles, allowing them to move smoothly and function properly. However, in the case of ALS, motor neurons begin to degenerate and die, which affects the communication between the brain and muscles in the body.

This, in turn, leads to muscle weakness, twitching, and atrophy. As the disease progresses, patients may experience difficulty walking, swallowing, and breathing, which can significantly impact their quality of life.

Despite ongoing research into new treatments and potential cures, the fact remains that ALS remains an incurable disease. While certain therapies and medications may help to slow the progression of the disease and manage its symptoms, they cannot undo the damage that has already occurred.

As such, those living with ALS must work closely with their healthcare team to manage their symptoms and maintain the best possible quality of life.

To Recap

Steve Gleason is a former American football player who was born on March 19, 1977, in Spokane, Washington, and is now 45 years old. He played as a safety for the Gonzaga Prep high school in Spokane, followed by the Washington State college.

Although he went undrafted in 2000, he played for the Indianapolis Colts and Birmingham Thunderbolts in their offseason and practice squad. He played for the New Orleans Saints from 2000-2006, where he played in 83 games and had 59 Solo tackles with 6 Assisted tackles.

In 2015, Gleason was awarded the George Halas Award for his perseverance and dedication.